The New Jersey Devils defeated the Florida Panthers, 6-2 at home
on Monday, January 13, 2003.

Patrik Elias took a great feed from Scott Gomez at 7:27 of the
first period. Gomez made the pass to Elias from behind the Panthers net,
Elias buried the puck, and the Devils had a 1-0 lead. Gomez got the only
assist on Elias's 11th goal of the season.

The first period ended with the Devils leading the Panthers,
1-0. The Devils outshot Florida, 11-2 in the period.

Michael Rupp, beat Roberto Luongo with an over the shoulder, top
shelf shot at 3:07 of the second period. His first career NHL goal came
in his NHL debut, on his 23rd birthday. Jim McKenzie and Christian
Berglund assisted on the goal, which gave the Devils a 2-0 lead.

Brad Ference beat Martin Brodeur from the point with a hard shot
after a faceoff at 9:06 to cut the Devils lead to one goal.

Michael Rupp got his second goal of the game at 11:39 of the
second period on the power-play. Rupp's goal was assisted by Patrik
Elias and Brian Rafalski.

Jeff Friesen gave the Devils a 4-1 lead by beating Luongo in a
goal-mouth scramble at 13:55 of the second. Friesen's 9th goal of the
season was assisted by Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner.

Friesen scored again, just 26 seconds later to give the Devils a
5-1 lead. Jamie Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk also assisted on
Friesen's second goal of the game.

Igor Ulanov beat Brodeur with just 36 remaining in the period,
to cut the Devils lead to 5-2.

The second period ended with the Devils leading the Panthers,
5-2. The Devils outshot the Panthers 15-6 in the period.

Jiri Bicek capped the Devils scoring at 16:40 of the third
period on the power-play. Bicek's 2nd goal of the season was assisted
by Patrik Elias and Scott Gomez.

The game ended with the Devils defeating the Panthers, 6-2.
The Devils outshot the Panthers, 15-4 in the third period, and 41-12
in the game.

Oleg Tverdovsky returned to the lineup after suffering the
effects of an unknown illness. Mike Rupp, recalled from Albany earlier
in the day, replaced Jay Pandolfo who was out recovering from a hard hit in the
game against the Lightning on Saturday.